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According to my dictionary contentment means a feeling of happiness or satisfaction. I wondered why when so many of us have everything we need (note the word need not want!) we still feel the need to search for satisfaction elsewhere? Foreign travel, new things for our homes, clothes and so on never seem to fill the void we have and leave us wanting more.a
I went for a walk today with my friend - we went to Eype near Bridport which is part of the World Heritage Jurrasic Coast. The day was bright and sunny but with a bitter North wind so we looked and felt like the Michelin Man togged up with all our layers, with hats pulled down over our ears, scarves wrapped round our necks and gloves on our hands! Our walk took us along a lane up onto the clifftops and then down onto the beach.
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But once we got down on to the beach it was more sheltered and we sat on one of these large rocks enjoying the sun, watching the waves rolling in across the pebbles and chatting and I was truly CONTENT in the moment.
Isn't this just breathtaking? a
The wild flowers were brightly shining in the sunshine ....
The perfume from these lovely violets was fabulous.
The wild flowers were brightly shining in the sunshine ....The perfume from these lovely violets was fabulous.a
The sky was blue,
Sadly the coast is being eroded and my friend was telling me that she had seen some photos of this area years ago and that this little hut was actually surrounded by grass and not as it is now near the edge - it is for rent but by the look of it you'd better be quick!
Just look at that sky.
No one was paddling - I wonder why!!!
Lunch was a bowl of soup in the conservatory of they Eypes Mouth Hotel - we seemed to be the only customers till a couple of other walkers arrived as we were leaving but the soup was hot, the view over the sea great and to be out of the wind was wonderful.
The sky was blue,
Sadly the coast is being eroded and my friend was telling me that she had seen some photos of this area years ago and that this little hut was actually surrounded by grass and not as it is now near the edge - it is for rent but by the look of it you'd better be quick!
Just look at that sky.
No one was paddling - I wonder why!!!
Lunch was a bowl of soup in the conservatory of they Eypes Mouth Hotel - we seemed to be the only customers till a couple of other walkers arrived as we were leaving but the soup was hot, the view over the sea great and to be out of the wind was wonderful.Was I content? YES!!!!
Lovely day!
ReplyDeleteI wished I was there!
Sandie xx
Lovely photos - it looks beautiful there - sad it's eroding. Gorgeous violets :) Yes, I think living in the moment and mindfulness are good paths to contentment.
ReplyDeleteI love the beach when it's windswept and empty, so do the dogs who just let rip!
ReplyDeleteI would say contentment for me is having enough. Knowing my family and animals are happy, safe and well, makes me feel contented.
santosha - I guess you weren't supposed to dwell on other peoples needs or wants or your worries about erosion, but just enjoy the beautiful walk you shared with us.
ReplyDeleteDan
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Thats looks a stunning location.
ReplyDeleteI shall try and remember that name as we are staying not far from Bridport in August :)
Oh I would be content to be there too! what a love trip out and great photos.
ReplyDeletelove
Lyn
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So lovely.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Tracy Chevalier's Remarkable Creatures about Mary Anning from Lyme Regis yesterday! To read your post today was amazing...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics! I think all too often we look outside ourselves for contentment, hoping to find it in material things, when it's a journey on the inside. It's challenging too to be in the moment!
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking a lot about contentment too the last few weeks. Perhaps it goes hand in hand with being appreciative and grateful for what we have.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are lovely, even though it was cold, it looks beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Anne xx
Somehow nature does bring contentment, particulary in Spring...............
ReplyDeleteFirstly Jane thanks for the great hotos. Walks like this will be playing a big part in our upcoming holiday.... and fancy violets being called wilflowers! They are garden specimens here and fairly rare in our climate.
ReplyDeleteContentment ? I would have to say that I feel fairly content with my life. I could have more money, be thinner, have curly hair !!! but if none of these things happen, at this moment in time, I feel content
Beautiful beautiful photos Jane! I think I would be very content with that marvelous blue sky and wonderful landscape.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your glorious sunshine on that beautiful coast Jane - it has been so dull here. However I have been content playing with my paints. Perhaps we do not acknowledge our contentment often enough.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a fabulous place to walk, lovely photos, i still would like to see different parts of the world but am quite content to live in Australia!
ReplyDeleteI am sure I would be content in such lovely surroundings with bright blue sky.
ReplyDeleteSo many of us seem to have been out and about - I went in search of inspiration via taking photo's here in dismal yorkshire, though the sun is trying hard to get through!! Contentment for me would be the ability to just be able to live again without the awfulness of the last two years that I have had, contentment is learning to appreciate what you have (still!) and to not want so much more that is maybe not strictly needed. Having watched last night a programme about living in the slums of africa - it makes you see the riches you do have - I will strive harder to rest in comtentment. Ash
ReplyDeleteHow brave of you to go for a walk in the bitter wind but at least you had a companion and a welcome lunch in the hotel. I envy the blue sky, it's been grey and miserable here for ages. Don't photos look so much better when taken in sunshine!
ReplyDeleteEm, gorgeous. I suffer a lot from restlessness and I think it stems from not getting out enough, into the countryside and enjoying it. A half hour cycle a few days a week now helps somewhat!
ReplyDeleteI think I would be content there too!!
ReplyDeleteThat scenery is breathtaking, trully beautiful.
Nature is wonderful and we are privilaged to be able to enjoy it!
Vivienne x
Lovely to see the sea - and the blue sky, it's been grey and cloudy and so cold here! Note to self, find an excuse to go to the coast..
ReplyDeleteJane,
ReplyDeleteI love that word - santosha. Rolls off the tongue and sounds exactly like it means something good. I think I shall adopt it into my vocabulary. Lovely photos. We both went to the beach today then? Snap! Lesley x
I don't think you could ever tire of that coastline, it really is breathtaking. And what a day to enjoy it, perfect! Did you ever go to the Hive?
ReplyDeletesometimes that moment does just come - enjoyed the photos
ReplyDeleteHello Jane, Your trip out sounded lovely and your photos looked very peaceful - the violets are gorgeous! I have joined the Girls Dirty Hands Club! Thank you for the link. I hope you are keeping well!
ReplyDeleteLucy xxxxxxxxx
Hi Jane, I have just got home after a week In Cornwall. I walked the deserted beaches and had an absolutely wonderful time. Am I content, yes, and to be truthful most of the time I am. I personally believe contentment and happiness come from the heart. It is always there, sometimes it is just a little hard to find.
ReplyDeleteI love your images, you are blessed to live in such a wonderful area.
What a thought provoking blog! Beautiful photographs, I could really imagine the smell and the wind in my hair! You are so right, the difference between need and want is something to ponder on this lent! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful pictures - I never tire of coastal views.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely evening,
Nina xxx
That sounds absolutely blissful. It's good to concentrate on what is needed rather than wanted sometimes. Thankyou for taking us on this walk.
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